Obama budget boosts funds to fight 'nightmare bacteria'

Inappropriate use of antibiotics endangers patients' health

5:08 PM,
Mar. 4, 2014

In this undated photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is one form of CRE bacteria, sometimes called ?nightmare bacteria.? CRE bacteria is blamed for 600 deaths each year, and can withstand treatment from virtually every type of antibiotic.

Written by

Liz Szabo
USA TODAY

President Obama is proposing to double spending to combat the threat of "nightmare bacteria" spreading in hospitals.

Obama's proposed budget, released today, includes $30 million annually for the next five years to detect and prevent "superbug" infections, which are resistant to even the strongest antibiotics, according to an announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The money would be used to set up regional labs to identify outbreaks more quickly and to help hospitals collaborate on reducing the bacteria's spread, among other programs. ...